Wednesday, May 12, 2021

State Attorney General Jeff Landry’s office was granted a Contradictory Hearing regarding the state’s motion to revoke bail for Norman Ural Booker III. Judge Stephen B. Beasley set the hearing for June 3 at 8:30 a.m.

Booker, longtime Sabine Parish educator and former Principal at Many High School, was arrested Oct. 29, 2020 for Misdemeanor Sexual Battery, Indecent Behavior with Juveniles, two counts of Sexual Battery and Oral Sexual Battery. 

His bail was set at $20,000 and the court set as specific conditions of bail that he “will have no contact with the victims and no contact with anyone under the age of 17 to whom he is not related.” Judge Beasley’s original conditions of bail also stated, “no contact means no contact.”

On February 8, a Grand Jury indicted Booker and on April 22, he was arraigned and entered pleas of Not Guilty to all charges.

The order issued Monday by Judge Beasley states, “While out on bond, the Court received information that Booker made contact with several juvenile females while attending the Louisiana State High School Athletic Association State Championship Game.” The game was held in Sulphur on April 30-May 2, and Booker reportedly attended all three days.

School Resource Officer Calvin Hays attended the tournament and reported that Booker was present at all games, hugged “almost every one of the players,” and “took pictures with them after the championship win.” Of the nineteen players, eleven are age 16 or younger, and all were present at the tournament.

Presented in Court Monday were photographs showing the alleged bail violations. It has been reported that these pictures first appeared on Facebook. Booker’s daughter played on the Many team, thus his reason for attending the game. His son, Keaton Booker, is also coach of the team who played in the game.

After being notified of the order, Booker turned himself in to the Sabine Sheriff’s Office where he was booked. He will remain in jail until the June 3 hearing at which time Judge Beasley will hold a hearing and make a determination.

The State’s motion to revoke bail avers that “the defendant’s appearance was an effort to display to those in attendance, and in the community, how little credence he gives to the charges pending against him.” The motion asks that after a hearing, if another bail be granted, that it be substantially increased from the initial bail of $20,000, and that Booker be equipped with GPS monitoring as a special condition.

A reminder that May 9-15 is National Police Week and it is a time to reflect just how important police officers are to our society. To have any orderly society there must be laws, enforcement and justice. We are losing so much of this in our country. Lawlessness is running rampart in so many places.

In 1962, President John F. Kennedy proclaimed May 15 as National Peace Officers Memorial Day, and the calendar week in which May 15 falls as National Police Week. Established by a joint resolution in Congress in 1962, National Police Week pays special recognition to law enforcement officers who lost their lives in the line of duty for the safety and protection of others.

Sheriff Aaron Mitchell and all his deputies remember and honor their brothers and sisters in blue who lost their lives protecting others. May God protect all our law enforcement officers. And may all our citizens appreciate and respect the job they do.

Our good friend Larry Paige who lives in Natchitoches Parish has opened a love fund at the Bank of Montgomery (BOM) for Ronnie Quick, a retired Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Deputy who suffers with Parkinson’s and was badly burned in an accident nearly two months ago. He is still in the intensive care unit and his recovery will be lengthy.

Larry asked that folks please donate to the Ronnie Quick Love Fund because expenses for the family continue to mount. Contributions can be made at any Bank of Montgomery location.

RONNY’S RESPONSE:  Our good friend Ronald Byrd, a native of Marthaville who now lives in New Boston, VA, is a very sharp, intelligent, common sense conservative. He is a regular reader of Observations and often sends us his comments, which we are so happy to receive. 

After last week’s column, his response was: “I’ve really been impressed with what’s happening in law enforcement in Sabine Parish and Many and now with the new leadership at Many High School, it looks like education will be improving in a similar fashion. That new principal has a terrific track record and should have the respect of everyone. I really enjoyed those pictures and story about the Choctaw-Apache celebration of their culture. That’s something worth hanging onto. This issue of your Observations was really uplifting. Just keep on keeping on, my friend.”

SIGNS ALONG LIFE’S HIGHWAY:

You can’t fix stupid, but you can vote him or her out of office.

An observance of the National Day of Prayer was held at District Attorney Don Burkett’s office parking lot at noon on Thursday, May 6. The national theme scripture verse for the event was 2 Corinthians 3:17 – “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”

A few dozen turned out to join event leader Pastor Cyle Clayton of Calvary Baptist Church who welcomed all and started the prayers by praying for our president, members of the U.S. House of Representatives and members of the U.S. Senate.

“We pray that those who work in the Executive Branch of our government would lead the other branches of our government toward Godliness and holiness. We pray, God, that they would protect life. And as the House and the Senate meet to work through laws, that those laws would take care of, protect and guard the innocent and the needy. We pray their hearts would be turned to protect those who have not yet been born, and we pray that they would be moved by you, God, to [not only] protect those who are not yet born, but those who are innocent children, the mothers of children. We pray that you would work and move in their hearts, God, to be good stewards of the monies they receive from the people of this nation. We pray that they would be moved to use the wisdom that’s in Your Word to build budgets, spend money and set priorities,” Clayton said during his time of leading prayer.

Prayer was also offered for the U.S. Supreme Court and Federal Courts, and prayer was led for the military by Danny Warmack of Toledo Bend Baptist Resort Ministries.

“We pray for our military, Lord,” Warmack said, “And all of our leaders in the branches of the military. We pray you’d have them make the decisions they need to make as they protect our country and as they protect our freedoms that we so love – the freedoms to be able to go where we want to go, to be able to do what we want to do, the freedom to go to church, to worship and serve You. I pray that you’d be with every member of the military down to the lowest-ranking soldier. Protect them, Lord, and keep them safe. Be with their families, Lord. Comfort them and give them peace as their sons and their daughters protect our freedoms,” he prayed.

Newly elected Police Juror, Dist. 3, Stephen Steinke led prayer for Gov. John Bel Edwards and the Louisiana House of Representatives and Senate. Missionary Mary Gore prayed for our parish and local government. Interim First Baptist Church Pastor Bo Owens prayed for the school administration and for teachers, and Pastor James Ericson of Friendship Church of the Nazarene led prayer for all pastors and churches.    

Trotter Lafollette led prayer for racial reconciliation, praying, “We are all made perfectly in your image, God. Help us to have and show a spirit of love.”

Pastor Diane Carter of the Church of God of Prophecy offered prayer for revival and spiritual awakening and prayer was also offered for law enforcement and all first responders.

Katie Beaird, Leesville Attorney and advocate for the Facebook Page “Justice 4 Sabine” will be the special guest on Tedd Dumas’ popular “Open Line” radio program Thursday at 7:30 a.m. The motto of the page is “Help us get justice for Sabine Parish Students.”

The message on Facebook states that all school children should be safe from violence, harm, sexual assault, harassment and such other negativity. The page states, “While they are attaining their education, all children deserve to be protected from harm, especially from teachers, workers, attendants, faculty and other students.”

The Facebook page was created to ask anyone who has a student that has been a victim of violence at school to let them know about it. Those making reports may contact Ms. Beaird at Katie@justice4sabine.com or call (337) 378-9055.

Leo “Burt” Mitchell Jr. was arrested Friday morning at the Rock Chapel near Mansfield. He had been on the lam since April 26 when he was involved in the attempted theft of an ATM machine at the Sabine State Bank in Burkeville, TX. It is believed that Mitchell stole a truck in that area and took off. He was arrested in the stolen truck in DeSoto Parish. Deputies said they found 20-30 oil well batteries in the bed of the truck and they suspect that the batteries were stolen property. 

Mitchell will be charged in DeSoto Parish and will also be released to Newton County, TX where he will face multiple charges.

Mitchell was arrested in September 2018 after he crashed his car into the front door of Curtis Grocery in south Sabine. He was charged with an attempt to steal an ATM kiosk from the store. Deputies found him near Florien and attempted a traffic stop. He refused to stop and led deputies on a short chase before jumping out of his car and running. Bloodhounds led deputies to Mitchell who was hidden in a thicket. He was charged with multiple counts at the time.

Belated best wishes to our good friend Debbie Hillman Stewart on her birthday last week. She is married to Willie Stewart and they live at Hornbeck. Debbie is a well-known singer in this area. She is shown in the above photo in Nashville, TN with the statue of Bill Monroe, “The Father of Bluegrass Music.”

Shelly Salter, Sabine Parish Clerk of Court, was the special guest on Tedd Dumas’ popular “Open Line” radio show Monday morning. Ms. Salter shared about the duties of the Clerk’s office, which is the official record keeper for Sabine Parish. Records in the office date back to 1843. The Clerk keeps the minutes of the District Court and is the chief elections officer in Sabine Parish.

Ms. Salter lauded her employees who are recognized as always being ready to help and being friendly. Ms. Salter started working in the Clerk’s Office under the late Dollie Knippers in 1992 and worked during the complete tenure of Tammy Foster.

Sheriff Aaron Mitchell and his Chief Deputy Brad Walker continue to hammer those who deal in drugs in Sabine Parish. The Sheriff said during April there were 15 felony narcotics arrests. About 1,060 grams of marijuana were seized, 3,356 pills, 309 grams of methamphetamine, several firearms, $10,890 in cash, as well as other narcotics and drug paraphernalia.

The Sheriff is very committed and passionate about dropping the hammer even harder on druggies. And he and his staff have made a difference since taking office in July of last year. Keep up the good work, Sheriff.

John Matthew Tatum, 44, of Converse was arrested last week and booked into the Sabine Parish Detention Center for possession with intent to distribute meth, possession with intent to distribute marijuana, possession with intent to distribute synthetic cannabinoids, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a firearm in the presence of a controlled dangerous substance and three counts of illegal possession of stolen firearms.

Sheriff Mitchell said the Sheriff’s Narcotics Team and Detectives seized about 1.8625 lbs. of methamphetamine, 388 grams of marijuana, 23 grams of synthetic cannabinoids, several smoking devices, measuring scales and three stolen firearms.

Judge Stephen B. Beasley set his bond at $75,000.

In another matter, Johnathan Dewayne Ebarb who lives on the Herman Leone Rd. was arrested May 7 for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, marijuana and Xanax, possession of drug paraphernalia and a warrant for three counts of distributing meth.

Approximately 6 grams of a meth was seized, along with Xanax pills, marijuana and measuring scales. Ebarb’s bond was set at $35,000. He got out the same afternoon he was arrested.

June Bug Anderson and his son-in-law Brad Walker really know how to throw a shindig. And it happened on top of King Hill near Ajax last Saturday night. About 100 friends turned out for an evening of music and a great catfish meal. Music was provided by Willie Stewart Family and Friends. Members of the group are Willie and Debbie Stewart, Bo Stewart, Steve and Mark Birdwell, Kelly and Clancey Stewart and Laurie Gentry.

A highlight of the program was Sabine Sheriff Aaron Mitchell who was coaxed into singing “Proud Mary” to the delight of those attending. He was accompanied to the event by his lovely wife Leigh Anne. Brad Walker was also talked into doing a couple of numbers. He sang Roy Acuff’s “Great Speckled Bird,” which he dedicated to Mr. Observations and “I Want to Stroll Over Heaven With You.”

Also doing a lot of work on the event was Brad’s wife, Lauren. It was my first time to visit the June Bug Anderson property and it is a wonderful place. I enjoyed so much visiting with Mr. Anderson. He recently broke a hip while falling off a motor grader, but he is recovering nicely. It was a wonderful night of entertainment, visiting and great food.

While there we were happy to say hello to regular reader of Observations, Jackie Shuford of Pleasant Hill.

Former Gov. Jimmie H. Davis was recognized at Louisiana College in Pineville Friday when a historical marker was dedicated in his honor. The late Governor was graduated from Louisiana College in 1924. He died in 2000 after living in three different centuries.

He is best known for his song “You Are My Sunshine,” often regarded as the most popular song in the world just behind “Happy Birthday.” He is a member of both the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Gospel Music Hall of Fame.

In politics he served two non-consecutive terms as Governor from 1944-48 and 1960-64. He ran unsuccessfully for a third term in the early 1970s.

Only 1,729 persons voted in the recent April 24 election, according to figures from Sabine Registrar of Voters Zack Faircloth. Sabine has a total of 15,069 voters and 11.41 per cent turned out.

Of the voters in Sabine Parish, 11,427 are listed as White, 2251 are Black and there are 1,391 listed in the “Other” category. A total of 6,563 are registered as Republican, 4,919 are Democrat and 3,587 are “Other.”

Former law enforcement officer Ted Delacerda visited Observations last week. He was heavily involved in the case of the unidentified man found in the well in Sabine Parish. Hopes are still high that the man can be identified by new evidence recently recovered when the well was revisited. Delacerda pointed out, “Murder cases, by law, are never closed.”

Joey Harris of Vernon Parish informed us that Leesville has “finally been put on the map, but not in a good way.” He said Netflix has moved onto Third St. and is setting up shop for the movie “Rebel Ridge.” 

He writes, “They are downtown building sets and changing signs for the shoots around the old courthouse and third street. Only problem is that it is a leftist movie concerning systemic racism. Go figure.”

Here is a breakdown of the movie: “Netflix’s ‘Rebel Ridge’ is described as a high-velocity thriller with bone-breaking action sequences, suspense and dark humor. The plot involves John Boyega’s character, an ex-marine who takes on a group of dirty cops. The film will also explore systemic American injustices, systemic racism in particular.”

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